The role of trait anxiety in mediating between inter-parental conflict and offspring aggression: a study of two ethnic groups

Genetic and environmental factors have a major influence on the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Older studies reported a very low prevalence of IBD among the Arab population in Israel.Evaluate the current prevalence and disease characteristics of IBD in the Israeli-Arab population and to compare them to the Jewish population in the same area.Electronic medical records of all patients insured in the Sharon- Shomron district of Clalit Health Services were reviewed until December 2012. Files of all adults (> 18 years) with a diagnosis of IBD were retrieved.

Israeli Arabs are considered as a developing society characterized by poverty and high levels of smoking among men. The purpose of this study was to describe their incidence, mortality and survival rates for oral and pharyngeal cancer between the years 1970-2006. Studies such as this in the Arab world, where the population is almost the same as the Arab population in Israel, are rare. The incidence and survival data were derived from all relevant registered data at the National Cancer Registry. The group of lesions included cancer of the lips, tongue, buccal mucosa, floor of the mouth, salivary glands, gums, palate and pharynx. Morphological description was according to WHO classification. Most diagnosed patients were male. The mean age was 54.4 years, and mean years of survival were 3.83. The oropharynx was the most common site (28.3%) while the palate was the least frequent (3.12%). Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was the most common histological feature (66.3%), while basal cell carcinoma (BCC) was the least (3.9%). The overall 5 years survival rate was 59.4%, this being highest for BCC (82.1%), while SCC was significantly lower (56.2%) (p<0.001). Lip cancers survived better than other sites. Data from this society are similar to other developing societies in the majority of the results. The incidence of oral and pharyngeal cancer is lower among the Arab population, in comparison to the Jewish population in Israel.

Sarcoidosis is a multi-organ granulomatous inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, exhibiting significant regional and ethnic variability in disease extent and clinical features. To investigate the clinical characteristics of sarcoidosis among Jewish and Arab populations in Israel and to compare these findings with global data. We conducted a retrospective review on sarcoidosis patients at Rambam Health Care Campus during 2015-2023. Patients were categorized by ethnicity. Their demographic and clinical data were collected and analysed using appropriate statistical methods. The study included 284 patients (149 Jewish, 135 Arab). Jewish patients had a higher mean age at diagnosis. Diagnosis was biopsy-proven in 82% of cases, with endobronchial ultrasound being the most common diagnostic procedure. Lung involvement was present in 88% of patients, with no significant difference between Jewish and Arab populations. No significant differences were found in pulmonary function tests, blood tests, or Scadding stage distribution between the ethnic groups. When comparing the Jewish and Arab populations to the global data, lung involvement was significantly less frequent in the Jewish population. The Israeli population, both Jewish and Arab populations, had a significantly higher rate of joint manifestations whereas eye and skin manifestations appeared to be significantly lower in the Israeli population compared to global data. This study highlights the diverse clinical presentations of sarcoidosis among Israeli populations compared to world data, with notable differences between Jewish and Arab patients, and within subgroups of these populations.

BackgroundThe incidence of breast cancer (BC) in Arab women is lower compared to the incidence in the Jewish population in Israel; still, it is the most common malignancy among Arab women. There is a steep rise in breast cancer incidence in the Arab population in Israel over the last 10 years that can be attributed to life style changes. But, the younger age of BC onset in Arab women compared with that of the Jewish population is suggestive of a genetic component in BC occurrence in that population.MethodsWe studied the family history of 31 women of Palestinian Arab (PA) origin affected with breast (n = 28), ovarian (n = 3) cancer. We used denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) to screen for mutations of BRCA1/2 in 4 women with a personal and family history highly suggestive of genetic predisposition.ResultsA novel BRCA1 mutation, E1373X in exon 12, was found in a patient affected with ovarian cancer. Four of her family members, 3 BC patients and a healthy individual were consequently also found to carry this mutation. Of the other 27 patients, which were screened for this specific mutation none was found to carry it.ConclusionWe found a novel BRCA1 mutation in a family of PA origin with a history highly compatible with BRCA1 phenotype. This mutation was not found in additional 30 PA women affected with BC or OC. Therefore full BRCA1/2 screening should be offered to patients with characteristic family history. The significance of the novel BRCA1 mutation we identified should be studied in larger population. However, it is likely that the E1373X mutation is not a founder frequent mutation in the PA population.

The aims of our study were to understand the factors shaping the gap in the literature concerning the Israeli Arab population, and to enhance the knowledge of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among this population, and provide information to health professionals.

Purpose This study aims to examine barriers to digital government service usage among Israel's Arab population, an Indigenous ethnic minority comprising 21% of the country's population. Despite similar Internet usage rates between Arab (88%) and Jewish (93%) populations, a significant disparity exists in digital government adoption: 36 versus 60%, respectively. Design/methodology/approach Using data from the Central Bureau of Statistics' Social Survey (2018–2022), this research analyzed a sample of 6,204 Israeli Arab citizens aged 20 and above. Findings Three main conclusions emerged: (1) The “digital divide approach” was confirmed, demonstrating that societal inequalities (education, occupation, area of residence, Hebrew proficiency, religion, age and gender) are mirrored in the digital sphere. (2) A new class of mobile-only users has emerged, facing limitations in exploiting the Internet's full potential. (3) Contrary to expectations, COVID-19 exacerbated rather than reduced digital inequality within Arab society in Israel. Originality/value The uniqueness of this research is reflected in two aspects. First, it focuses exclusively on Israel's Arab population, treating it as a heterogeneous group. Second, it examines the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the use of digital government services. Peer review The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-10-2024-0669

An organization-wide inequity-reduction quality improvement (QI) initiative was implemented in primary care clinics serving disadvantaged Arab and Jewish populations. Using the Chronic Care Model (CCM), this study investigated the types of interventions associated with success in inequity reduction. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 80 staff members from 26 target clinics, and information about intervention types was coded by CCM and clinical domains (e.g. diabetes, hypertension and lipid control; performance of mammography tests). Relationships between type and number of interventions implemented and inequity reduction were assessed. Target clinics implemented 454 different interventions, on average 17.5 interventions per clinic. Interventions focused on Decision support and Community linkages were positively correlated with improvement in the composite quality score (P < 0.05). Conversely, focusing on a specific clinical domain was not correlated with a higher quality score. Focusing on training team members in selected QI topics and/or tailoring interventions to meet community needs was key to the interventions' success. Such findings, especially in light of the lack of association between QI and a focus on a specific clinical domain, support other calls for adopting a systems approach to achieving wide-scale inequity reduction.

Background: The decision of out-of-home placement for the Arab population is a very stressful event that sometimes causes a real crisis situation for them, because of cultural assumptions and attitudes against placement. The tradition in the Arab culture is to take care of their offspring at home, no matter how serious the situation is. Mental health is also a case of chronic illness and it is very important for us to understand who are those who are willing to place their adult child and what the factors are that make them to do this decision. Better understanding will lead to better use of the services that the state offers them. The rate of placement in Arab society remains significantly lower than among the Jewish population of Israel. The aim of this study was to examine the attitudes of Arab parents who have an adult son or daughter with a psychiatric disability toward out-of home placement. Method: A convenience sample of 189 parents of adult children with a mental disability from the Arab population of Israel. The questionnaires included were assessing social support, emotional stress, cognitive appraisal of the situation, and various socio-demographic characteristics. Results: Parents who chose home placement reported being in a better financial position and were more religious than parents who chose out-of-home placement. Parents who chose to care for their children at home had a significantly higher perception of this as a challenge. The decision regarding the child's placement appears to depend mainly on the parents' education and financial situation. Conclusions: Financial situation, social support and perceiving the illness as a challenge are the most important factors in the process of the decision.

Gastric cancer is the fourth most common malignancy worldwide. The incidence trends and mortality rates of gastric cancer in Israel have not been studied in depth. The aim of our study was to try and investigate the aforementioned issues in Israel in different ethnic groups. This retrospective study is based on the data of The Israel National Cancer Registry and The Central Bureau of Statistics. Published data from these two institutes were collected, summarized, and analyzed in this study. Around 650 new cases of gastric cancer are diagnosed yearly in Israel. While we noticed a decline during the period 1990-2007 in the incidence in the Jewish population (13.6-8.9 and 6.75-5.42 cases per 100,000 in Jewish men and women, respectively), an increase in the Arab population was noticed (7.7-10.2 and 3.7-4.2 cases per 100,000 in men and women, respectively). Age-adjusted mortality rates per 10,000 cases of gastric cancer decreased significantly, from 7.21 in 1990 to 5.46 in 2007, in the total population. The 5-year relative survival showed a slight increase for both men and women. There is a difference in the incidence and outcome of gastric cancer between the Jewish and Arab populations in Israel. The grim prognosis of gastric cancer patients in Israel is probably due to the advanced stage at which gastric cancer is diagnosed in Israel.

The prevalence of food allergies in children is known to be on the rise in the United States.1,2 The Jewish population has been of specific interest in the area of food allergy due to numerous investigations in Jewish populations in both England and Israel.1,3,4 Specifically, it was found that rates of food allergy in Jewish populations in Israel were markedly lower than Jewish populations in England.4 There has not been any investigation of the epidemiology of food allergy in Jewish populations in the United States. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate and describe the prevalence of and experiences with food allergy in a Jewish population in the United States.

In the present study, the relationship between family functioning, differentiation of self and trait anxiety was examined. In addition, differences in trait anxiety and differentiation of self according to sex were studied. It was also checked whether family functioning predicted the achieved degree of differentiation of self, and whether family functioning and differentiation of self predicted the level of trait anxiety. Finally, it was analyzed whether the level of differentiation of self mediated the relationship between family functioning and trait anxiety. The study involved 185 Spanish participants, aged between 18 and 56 years and the scales used were the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale-20Esp (FACES-20Esp), the Differentiation of Self Scale (EDS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The results indicated that family functioning was related to differentiation of self and trait anxiety, and that differentiation of self was related to trait anxiety. In addition, according to sex, differences were found in the degree of differentiation of self and in the I Position, with a higher score for men, as well as in Emotional Reactivity and trait anxiety, with higher scores for women. It was also observed that family functioning predicted the level of differentiation of self, and that differentiation of self and family functioning predicted trait anxiety. Finally, it was found that the relationship between family functioning and trait anxiety was partially mediated by differentiation of self. There are relationships between family functioning, differentiation of self and trait anxiety, and there are differences in differentiation of self and trait anxiety based on sex. The relevance of the results and their implications for clinical practice are discussed.

ObjectivesIn the present study, the relationship between family functioning, differentiation of self and trait anxiety was examined. In addition, differences in trait anxiety and differentiation of self according to sex were studied. It was also checked whether family functioning predicted the achieved degree of differentiation of self, and whether family functioning and differentiation of self predicted the level of trait anxiety. Finally, it was analyzed whether the level of differentiation of self mediated the relationship between family functioning and trait anxiety.MethodsThe study involved 185 Spanish participants, aged between 18 and 56 years and the scales used were the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale-20Esp (FACES-20Esp), the Differentiation of Self Scale (EDS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).ResultsThe results indicated that family functioning was related to differentiation of self and trait anxiety, and that differentiation of self was related to trait anxiety. In addition, according to sex, differences were found in the degree of differentiation of self and in the I Position, with a higher score for men, as well as in Emotional Reactivity and trait anxiety, with higher scores for women. It was also observed that family functioning predicted the level of differentiation of self, and that differentiation of self and family functioning predicted trait anxiety. Finally, it was found that the relationship between family functioning and trait anxiety was partially mediated by differentiation of self.ConclusionsThere are relationships between family functioning, differentiation of self and trait anxiety, and there are differences in differentiation of self and trait anxiety based on sex. The relevance of the results and their implications for clinical practice are discussed.

The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles B*15:02 and A*31:01 have been identified as predictive markers of adverse cutaneous effects of carbamazepine and phenytoin in Asian and North European populations, respectively. Our aim was to estimate the distribution of these alleles in Jewish and Arab populations in Israel. The HLA-B*15:02 and HLA-A*31:01 carrier rate was estimated based on data from the Hadassah Bone Marrow Registry. Data on Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)- and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)-related hospitalizations were obtained from the Israeli Ministry of Health (MOH) registries and from four Israeli medical centers. Of 83,705 Jewish and Arab-Muslim donors, 81 individuals of known origin carried the HLA-B*15:02. Among them, 66 were Jews of India-Cochin descent. Of the Cochin Jewish donors, 12.7% were B*15:02 carriers. HLA-A*31:01 carrier incidence among Arab and Jewish Israeli populations (3.5% and 2.2%, respectively) was within the range reported in other countries. We did not identify SJS- or TEN-related hospitalizations of Jews of Indian descent. Yet, this population should be considered at greater risk for antiepileptic drug-induced SJS and TEN. Until further data on actual risk are available, such patients should be typed for HLA-B before treatment with carbamazepine or phenytoin.

Are there disparities in acute stroke treatment between the Jewish and Arab populations in Israel? Results from the National Acute Stroke Israeli registry

Between 1981 and 1995 the national cancer register in Israel received reports on 13,600 new cases of lung cancer. We evaluated the trends in total lung cancer and the histologic subtypes, in Jewish and Arab Israelis. During this period, the age-adjusted incidence of lung cancer increased in the male Arab population, while for male Jews there was a non-significant decrease, for women in both population groups the rates were stable. When analyzed by age group, there was a significant decrease in incidence rates in Jewish males aged 75 years and older. An analysis by histologic subtypes showed two different trends. In the Jewish population, the age adjusted incidence rates of squamous cell carcinoma (SQCC) decreased and the incidence rates of adenocarcinoma (AC) increased, whereas in the Arab population the incidence rates of both subtypes increased, although statistically significantly only for SQCC. The changes found in the Jewish population are similar to those found in other western countries, where the rates of AC are increasing and the rates of SQCC are decreasing. The trends in the Arab population in Israel are different. This may be due to different trends in the prevalence of smoking in the two populations.